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Native American berdache.
Detail of a sketch “Dance to the Berdache” by George Catlin (1796-1872).
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In many preliterate cultures, especially gifted individuals act as shamans, i.e. as mediators between the natural and spiritual worlds. Shamanism is a very old form of religion and was once found all over the world. Today, it survives in only a few areas, but some shamanic influences can still be traced in other religions. Shamans are experts in the supernatural and can interpret dreams. They are also healers and help their tribes in many other ways. Most shamans are men, and in many cultures they are men of “two spirits” - one male, and the other female. Indeed, their female spirit may be expressed by adopting a female gender role, wearing female clothes and “marrying” a man.
Many Native American tribes recognized men of “two spirits” and treated them with great respect. Western observers called such a man “berdache” (French, from Arabic bardajo: "kept boy"). This inappropriate, misleading term has now found wide acceptance, since people no longer remember its origin. The role of a berdache was that of a healer, teacher, spiritual guide and prophet. As a “man-woman”, he enjoyed a high social status and moved freely between the worlds of women and men.
In India, there is another group of men who traditionally adopt a feminine gender role - the hijras. Sometimes called “India’s third sex”, these men reject their maleness, have their sex organs surgically removed, and join a hijra community that offers them support. Such a community is like a large family. It earns its living by singing, dancing at weddings and other festive occasions. Many hijras also work as prostitutes. They are all recognized as a minority with special spiritual gifts. Through the power of their mother goddes Bahuchara Mata they can either bless or curse others, and thus their status also has a religious aspect. However, the rapid modernization of recent decades has undermined the traditional basis of their existence, and thus they are now increasingly becoming marginalized.
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